Compensation to those who lost their lands

H’tota Development Project

In addition to the compensation in cash, all possible steps will be taken to improve the living condition of those who lost their lands and businesses because of this project In addition to the compensation in cash, all possible steps will be taken to improve the living condition of those who lost their lands

providing Rs.2 billion to pay compensations for the lands acquired during the second stage.

“We have already paid compensation for 237 plots of land costing some Rs.90 million with the rest of the money to be paid soon. We have also taken steps to develop infrastructure facilities such as water and power for the lands that have been provided.

“Though a majority of the people whose lands were acquired for the Hambantota Port Development Project are poor people the previous regime did nothing to alleviate the problems faced by them. Now we are correcting that mistake,” the minister said.

Ministry Secretary L.P. Jayampathy and top officials participated in the meeting.

Ministry of Ports and Shipping will shortly pay compensation to all land owners whose lands were acquired for the Hambantota Port Development Project, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday.

He told the monthly progress review meeting of his ministry that the government’s primary objective was to pay a fair compensation based on the location of the land and its viability for commercial, agricultural or industrial purposes. The minister said the compensation would reflect the commercial value of the land.

“In addition to the compensation in cash, all possible steps will be taken to improve the living condition of those who lost their lands and businesses because of this project. The Government has allocated two billion rupees for this purpose,” he said and instructed ministry officials to work out the payment of compensation in a transparent manner.

Officials said 1,115 hectares were allocated for the two stages of the Hambantota PDP with Rs.511 million being provided by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority with the Treasury